news 24 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Suspect Identified in Fatal Assault on Afrigo Band Icon Moses Matovu
Police have identified and are searching for a male suspect following the fatal attack on veteran musician Moses Matovu. A woman, who was with Matovu at the time, has been arrested and is cooperating with investigators. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/suspect-identified-in-killing-of-afrigo-band-icon-moses-matovu-5607008
Ugandan police have identified a primary suspect in the death of Moses Matovu, a revered founding member of the iconic Afrigo Band. The 77-year-old musician was attacked early on Thursday, September 24, 2026, in Kampala’s Makindye Division, succumbing to his injuries later at Kibuli Hospital.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Matovu was at the residence of a woman identified by police as Rose. As they were leaving around 5 AM, they were reportedly confronted by a male suspect believed to have had a prior relationship with Rose. A physical altercation is thought to have occurred, resulting in Matovu’s fatal injuries.
Police have arrested Rose, who was with Matovu, and she is currently assisting with the investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the confrontation. “The female suspect remains in custody and is assisting our task team in ongoing investigations including efforts to trace and apprehend the male suspect that has ably been identified and is believed to have fled the scene,” stated Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala.
Investigators have recovered potential evidence from the scene, including a concrete paver and bloodstains found near Matovu’s vehicle. The male suspect, described as working with a private security company, is the subject of an active manhunt. Police are working to apprehend him and bring him to justice.
Matovu was a towering figure in Uganda’s live-band music scene for decades, co-founding Afrigo Band in 1975. His career spanned nearly sixty years, contributing significantly to the genre’s legacy. He will be laid to rest in Kyanja on September 25, 2026.